JP3367258B2 - Data transmission device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data transmission device used for a video server or the like for storing data such as video signals and transmitting video data in accordance with a request from a terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the progress of broadcasting and CATV digitization technology, expectations for various service forms are increasing. As one of them, a service (hereinafter abbreviated as VOD) that sends out video data in response to a request from a terminal, rather than one-sided broadcasting from the sending side, is considered, and some experiments have begun. In VOD, it is normal to use one line for one terminal, and effective use of the line is a challenge for establishing a business.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a generally considered video transmission device. The accepting unit 1001 accepts various requests from terminals. The video information to be sent is stored in the data storage means 1004. The data reading means 1003 reads the video information from the data storage means 1004 and sends it as video data to the terminal. When the request for sending the video data is received from the terminal, the accepting means 1001 instructs the data reading means 1003 to send the video data, and the data reading means 1003 is the data storing means.
Video information is read from 1004 and sent to the terminal as video data. Regarding the operation of such a video transmission device, for example, Nikkei Communication 1994.4.4 pp. 47-53 "Special Feature: Light and Shadow of Next Generation Communication Network Part 2"
Please refer to that for the details.

In the VOD system, a pause request may be issued in order to temporarily suspend the transmission of the video data from the terminal when the user of the terminal interrupts the viewing of the video data by a visitor or the like. Even if the transmission of video data is interrupted by a pause request, the line is occupied by the terminal. Therefore, if the pause state lasts for a long time, the above-mentioned configuration causes a problem that the use efficiency of the line remarkably decreases. Had.

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above problems, and when the pause state is prolonged, the line is opened based on predetermined conditions, or the user of the terminal is urged to open the line. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data transmission device that minimizes a decrease in line utilization efficiency.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the data transmitting apparatus of the first invention receives a "pause request" from a terminal and outputs a "pause start signal", and a "pause request". The time signal is started by the "start signal", and the timer means for generating the "timeout signal" when the predetermined count number is reached, the data storage means for storing the video information, and the video information read from the data storage means, The output as "video data" is paused by the "pause start signal", and
And a data reading means for ending the transmission of the "video data" by the "timeout signal".

Further, the data transmission apparatus of the second invention receives the "pause request" from the terminal and outputs a "pause start signal", and starts time counting with the "pause start signal". Timer means for generating a "timeout signal" when a predetermined count is reached;
Data storage means for storing video information, and reading the video information from the data storage means, outputting it as "video data" and temporarily suspending the transmission of "video data" by the "pause start signal", and by the "timeout signal" And a data reading means for transmitting a "warning signal".

Further, the data delivery device of the third invention, the
In the data transmission device of the second invention, the timer means is previously
When the second count is reached, the “second time
Out signal, and the data reading means is
End the transmission of the "video data" by the "out signal"
It has a configuration that

[0009] The data delivery device of the fourth invention, the
In the data transmission device of the first invention, the data reading means is
"Request to save playback restart information" by "timeout signal"
Is sent, and a "playback restart information save request" request
When there is a request to restart playback,
Save the "playback restart information" required to restart playback of "data"
And a restart information holding unit .

[0010]

With the above arrangement, in the data transmitting apparatus of the first invention, the accepting means accepts the "pause request" from the terminal and the "pause state" continues, and as a result, the count number of the timer means is preset. When the predetermined value is reached, the data reading means finishes sending the "video data" and the use of the line is released.

In the data transmission device of the second invention, the accepting means accepts the "pause request" from the terminal and the "pause state" continues, and as a result, the count number of the timer means is a predetermined value. The data reading means sends a "warning signal" to the terminal at the point when the time reaches, and requests the cancellation of the pause.

Further, the data delivery device of the third invention, receiving means receiving the "pause request" from the terminal to continue the "pause state", the count number of the timer means as a result, a predetermined value A warning signal is generated when the
When the stage sends a "warning signal" to the terminal and the "pause state" continues and the count value of the timer means reaches the second predetermined value, the data reading means makes the "video data". Will be terminated and use of the line will be cancelled.

Further, in the data transmitting apparatus of the fourth invention, the accepting means accepts the "pause request" from the terminal and the "pause state" continues, and as a result, the count number of the timer means is a predetermined value. The data reading means terminates the transmission of the "video data" at the time point when the line reaches, and the use of the line is released. At the same time, the resuming information holding means stores the "reproduction resuming information" required when the terminal requests to continue watching the interrupted broadcast content.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the first invention, 101 is a receiving means, 102 is a timer means, 103 is a data reading means, and 104 is a data accumulating means.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the timer means 102.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a clock generation unit that generates a clock that serves as a reference for measuring time, and 212 denotes a count unit that counts. The clock generation unit 211 stops the clock signal at the same time when the time-out signal is generated.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the data reading means 103, and 321 instructs the sending section 322 to control the sending, stopping, ending, etc. of the video data to the terminal in accordance with the pause start signal, the time-out signal and the like. Terminal management unit, 322 is a terminal management unit
In accordance with an instruction from 321, a sending unit that sends the video data from the read control unit 323 to the terminal, and 323 is a read control unit that controls the data storage unit 104 and reads the necessary video data.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the data storage means 104. Reference numeral 431 is a hard disk control unit that controls the hard disk 432 to exchange video data, and 432 is a hard disk that actually stores video data.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention, in which 503 is a data reading means and 505 is a warning signal generating means. Data reading means 503 of the second embodiment of the invention
Compared with 103 of the first embodiment of the present invention, does not have the function of terminating the video data to the terminal according to the time-out signal or the like.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the third invention, and 602 is a timer means. The timer means 602 of the third embodiment of the invention generates two kinds of time-out signals as compared with the timer means 602 of the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the timer means 602.
Reference numeral 12 is a counting unit that executes counting, and generates a first time-out signal when reaching a predetermined first value, and outputs a second time-out signal when reaching a predetermined second value. Occur. Further, the clock generator stops the clock signal at the same time when the second time-out signal is generated.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment of the fourth invention, in which 801 is a receiving means, 803 is a data reading means, and 80.
6 is a restart information holding means. Compared to the accepting means 101 of the embodiment of the first invention, the accepting means 801 of the embodiment of the fourth invention accepts the reproduction restart request, and sends it to the terminal which has finished transmitting the video data to the data reading means 803. To restart the sending of. Further, the data reading means 803 of the fourth embodiment of the invention is necessary for resuming the reproduction at the end of sending the video data to the terminal, as compared with the data reading means 103 of the first embodiment of the invention. It has a function of sending terminal management information to the restart information holding unit 806.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the structure of the data reading means 803. Reference numeral 921 controls the sending, stopping, ending, resuming, etc. of video data to the terminal according to a pause start signal, a time-out signal, a reproduction restart signal, etc. It is a terminal management unit that instructs the sending unit 322.

The operation of the data transmission apparatus of the present invention configured as above will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, the accepting means 101 accepts various requests such as a data request from the terminal. Here, the operation when accepting the "pause request" necessary for the description of this embodiment will be described. The accepting means 101 that has accepted the “pause request” outputs a “pause start signal”. Timer means 1
02 starts time counting with "pause start signal",
A "timeout signal" is generated when a predetermined count number is reached. On the other hand, the data reading means 103 reads "video data" from the data storage means 104 for storing video data according to a request from the terminal, and sends it to the terminal in a normal reproduction state. Data reading means 103
When receiving the "pause start signal", stops reading data and sending data to the terminal. When the "timeout signal" is received, the transmission of the "video data" is terminated and the line used is released.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a video-on-demand system or the like, when the pause state of a terminal is prolonged, the line is opened after a predetermined time elapses and another terminal can be used. By returning to, it is possible to suppress the decrease in line usage efficiency.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the "timeout signal" generated by the timer means 102 causes the warning signal generation means 505 to send out a "warning signal" to the terminal to warn that the pause state continues for a long time. , Request the cancellation or opening of the line.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the second invention,
In a video-on-demand system, etc., when the pause state of a terminal is prolonged, by prompting the terminal to open the line after a predetermined time elapses and returning to a state where other terminals can be used, It is possible to suppress the decrease in utilization efficiency.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the embodiment of the third invention, by the "first timeout signal" generated by the timer means 602,
The warning signal generation means 505 sends a "warning signal" to the terminal to warn that the pause state continues for a long time, and requests cancellation of the pause state or opening of the line. Further, by the "second time-out signal", the data reading means 103 ends the transmission of the "video data" and releases the line used.

Thus, according to the embodiment of the third invention,
When the pause state of the terminal is prolonged for a video-on-demand system, etc., after the lapse of a predetermined first time,
If the terminal is urged to open the line, and if the terminal continues to be in the paused state, after the second time has elapsed, the line is released and the terminal is restored to a usable state.
By giving a warning to the user of the terminal in advance, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the line utilization efficiency in consideration of the user's situation.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the embodiment of the fourth invention, the "timeout signal" generated by the timer means 102 causes the data reading means 803 to terminate the transmission of the "video data" to the terminal and continue the same program from the same terminal. In case there is a request (playback restart request) that you want to see
The “terminal management information” necessary for continuing the reproduction is sent to the restart information holding unit 806. When there is a reproduction restart request, the data reading means reads the "terminal management information" necessary for continuing the reproduction from the restart information holding means, reads the "video data" from the data storage means according to the contents, and restarts the transmission to the terminal. To do.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the fourth invention,
In addition to the effect of the embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, once the terminal sends out the request to send the completed “video data”, a function to continue the function is provided to consider the situation of the user. , It is possible to suppress the decrease in the line usage efficiency.

[0033]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a video-on-demand system or the like, when the pause state of a terminal is prolonged, the line is opened after a predetermined time elapses and the line is used. It is possible to suppress the decrease in efficiency.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in a video-on-demand system or the like, when the pause state of a terminal is prolonged, a warning is sent to the terminal to prompt the opening of the line, thereby lowering the utilization efficiency of the line. You can hold down.

According to the third invention, in addition to the first invention, a warning is sent to the terminal prior to the end of the sending of the video data, so that the situation of the user is taken into consideration. Thus, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the line utilization efficiency.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the first aspect of the invention, when the transmission of the video data is completed, the information required for resuming the transmission of the video data is retained so that the terminal can make a request. If there is, provide a function to restart the transmission of video data,
The user's situation can be taken into consideration and the decrease in the line utilization efficiency can be suppressed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a timer means 102 of the data transmission device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a data reading means 103 of the data transmission device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a data storage means 104 of the data transmission device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the third invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a timer means 602 of the data transmitting apparatus according to the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the fourth invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data reading means 803 of the data transmission apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional data transmission device.

[Explanation of symbols]

101,801,1001 Reception means 102,602 Timer means 103,503,803,1003 Data reading means 104,1004 Data storage means 211 Clock generator 212,712 Counting unit 321,921 Terminal management department 322 Transmitter 323 Read control unit 431 Hard disk controller 432 hard disk 505 Warning signal generation means 806 Resuming information holding means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-327221 (JP, A) Fukui Sho 60-163529 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 7/00-7/68

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A "pause request" from a terminal is accepted,
Accepting means for outputting a "pause start signal", timer means for starting time counting with the "pause start signal", and generating a "timeout signal" when a predetermined count number is reached, and storing video information Data storage means,
Data that reads out the video information from the data storage means and outputs it as "video data", and at the same time pauses the sending of "video data" by the "pause start signal" and ends the sending of "video data" by the "timeout signal" A data sending device comprising a reading means. 2. Accepting a "pause request" from the terminal,
Accepting means for outputting a "pause start signal", timer means for starting time counting with the "pause start signal", and generating a "timeout signal" when a predetermined count number is reached, and storing video information Data storage means,
Data information is read from the data storage means and is output as "video data", and a "pause start signal" is used to temporarily stop the transmission of "video data", and a "timeout signal" is used to send a "warning signal". And a warning signal generating means. 3. The timer means is a predetermined second cow.
"Second time-out signal" when the number of
The data read means generates a "second time-out signal.
No. ”terminates the transmission of“ video data ”
The data transmission device according to claim 2. 4. The data reading means is provided with a "timeout signal.
No. ”, a“ replay restart information storage request ”is sent, and
Request to restart playback from the terminal by "request to save live restart information"
Playback, the playback of the “video data” that was
Resume information holder that saves "playback resumption information" required for opening
Data transmission according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises stages.
apparatus.